I painted a glaze of Prussian Blue over the sky, taking it to a nice rich dark blue that I’m enjoying so much that the Prussian might supplant the Ultramarine blue in my choice of favorite blues. I love that darkness, fading out to a deep but transparent glaze. Peachy! I also re-introduced a glaze of iron oxide (burnt sienna) into Amelia’s coat, which will make it richer and deeper, then scraped it off so the white texture shows through. Next glaze will sit over the top of the existing oxide and the white too, so there will be a rich variety of colour in the surface of the paint.
I went to Santa Barbara this weekend, where I sincerely hope I will be able to make my next home, at least for the next few months. Jim Connolly took us sailing in his boat, and we were blown out into the channel between the mainland and the Channel Islands, where the Chumash – California native Americans – are said to have originated, whereupon we became becalmed, so while we waited for wind he entertained us on his banjo and we enjoyed each others company and watched seals curling through the water. I hope to get out there with him again soon, because I think I need photos of the ocean. I have made several paintings that deal with the elements of earth and air, but none that emphasize fire or water, so I think it’s time to find Amelia in a boat, adrift in an open sea. Cyn McCurry, who I think the world of, and whose work I adore has painted several works on the theme of women drifting in a boat, and I think there’s some of her influence rubbing off on me here.Â
